It is two years since princess Diana's life was so tragically cut short. In recent times prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles have been photographed together in public and have just returned from a high-profile cruise in the sun. Are the public now ready to accept Charles and Camilla – perhaps as a married couple?

A Cornish Times mini-survey in the streets of Liskeard highlighted that the subject is perhaps regarded differently among varying age groups, with younger people more likely to feel that Charles and Camilla should tie the knot, if that is what they want.

Veteran residents John Smith, Reg Bourne and Albert Davy, believed there should be no marriage between the two, at any time.

They also thought the couple were setting the wrong example. Hedley Corbidge believed if Charles wanted to make Camilla his wife he should go ahead and do so, but should also give up the throne, just as Edward V111 did earlier this century.

Publicity

As the couple have been holidaying together, in the blaze of such publicity, Aubrey Champion thinks that the time may be soon approaching when a marriage announcement is made.

A different view was given by Nancy Andrew, of Liskeard, who felt everyone should leave the pair alone and let them marry if they wish, and be happy.

Her view was also taken by teenagers Hannah and Melissa Chandler and Abi Parcell.

Message

They felt Charles and Camilla should be given breathing space to run their lives without interference, and should just be 'left to get on with it'.

Nevertheless another lady, Joan Parker-Stewart, despite terming herself a Royalist, said that she didn't think Camilla should be allowed to become Charles' second wife.

She thought they had made the wrong decision to go on the cruise, and didn't agree with the liaison.

She said of William and Harry: 'I think it gave out the wrong message from the boys' point of view.'

This was seconded by Sally Coffin who also thought that the couple should not have gone on the cruise together, especially with Harry and William present.

Kathleen Sweet, of Liskeard, felt the fact that Charles and Camilla had been friendly before Diana's death weighed against them.

She said of Diana: 'She was a lovely wife.'

In Oughs delicatessen, with its Royal connections, Paul England and Carol Morse said they would be happy to see Charles marry Camilla, but believed William should become king in his father's stead.

Marriage

This view was agreed by Damien Borlase and Tracey Pope, who also work in the shop. Damien felt that Camilla would not earn the 'same public respect' as Diana did, while Tracey said marriage would throw up awkward questions.

Visitors to Liskeard, Robert and Irene Eldridge, said they believed Charles should be allowed a private life, but also thought that if he married Camilla he should not be king.

In fact they believed maybe the crown should automatically go to William whether Camilla marries into the House of Windsor, or not.